Dorothy "Dottie" Ann Bland

Dorothy “Dottie” Ann Bland was born on January 12, 1945, in Erie, Pennsylvania, to Homer Charles and Edith Birdie Colflesh. She was one of 15 children raised in a modest home filled with love, family, and togetherness. Those early years shaped the woman Dottie would become—generous, resilient, devoted to family, and always ready to open her home and heart to others.

Dottie met the first love of her life, Jonathan Lee “J.L.” Sharp, in Washington, D.C. They married in September 1963 and were sealed in the Salt Lake Temple on August 10, 1977. Dottie and J.L. enjoyed the outdoors, camping, and most of all, spending time together as a family. They raised three children, Debbie, Todd, and Wade, before J.L. passed away tragically in December 1979.

In August of 1985, Dottie married her best friend and the second love of her life, Brian Bland. Together, they blended their families, welcoming Brian’s daughters, Kelli and Paulette, and creating a family that would continue to grow for generations.

Dottie and Brian enjoyed traveling and built a successful business together. They created a special place in Monte Cristo, Utah, when they built their cabin, which became a gathering place for children, grandchildren, and eventually great-grandchildren. For years, the cabin was filled with laughter, stories, meals, holidays, and the kind of memories that become treasured family traditions. They also enjoyed homes in St. George and Lake Havasu, where they cherished sharing their time with friends and family.

When Brian became disabled, Dottie cared for him with unwavering patience and kindness for 30 years. In doing so, she showed her family and everyone around her what true devotion and unconditional love looks like.

Family was always Dottie’s first priority. She gave her time, compassion, and generosity freely. She was the gracious host of our family dinners and gatherings, filling her home with plenty of food, laughter, and love. She was an exceptional cook and enjoyed nothing more than bringing people together around her table. She valued celebrations, throwing parties, and making the people she loved feel special.

Her grandchildren and great-grandchildren were the great joy of her life. She doted on them, spoiled them, listened to them, and became their friend and confidante. Some of their most treasured memories are of sitting beside Grandma Dottie and listening to her stories about growing up in the small town of Erie, Pennsylvania. She had a gift for storytelling and could weave her memories into stories that left everyone captivated. Through those stories, she passed down not only memories of her own childhood, but a piece of family history that will live on through generations.

Dottie passed away peacefully at home on September 22, 2026, surrounded by her children and the love of her family.

She was preceded in death by her first husband, J.L. Sharp; her parents; several siblings; and her grandson, Michael Smith.

She is survived by her husband, Brian Bland; her children, Debbie (Shawn) Jones, Todd (Jeri) Sharp, and Wade (Michelle) Sharp; her stepchildren, Kelli (Mike) Jacobson and Paulette (Eric) Jensen; and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren who will carry her memory and her stories with them.

“Grandma’s Treasures I give to you. Remember me as I do you. My love for you will never fade, and I will see you in heaven with a big parade.”

Graveside services will be held Monday, September 28, 2026, at 12:30 p.m. at Elysian Gardens, 1075 East 4580 South, Millcreek, Utah.

A luncheon will follow at the Crescent 24th LDS Ward, 275 East 10600 South, Sandy, Utah.